Seattle Schools in the spotlight

SEATTLE Public Schools receives its fair share of criticism. The highs and lows of a 45,000-student district can raise the blood pressure but they also eclipse a remarkable feat: On any given day, educators and students excel at their respective jobs.

This isn't a secret. It is why a record crowd — more than 900 people — filled the Westin Hotel ballroom Wednesday for the Alliance for Education's annual fundraising breakfast.

Superintendent Maria Goodloe-Johnson gave a compelling outline of the system's successes, including improved test scores. But the spotlight, and proof of her words, rested on the students.

There were the six students, three in elementary school who welcomed the crowd in flawless Japanese, Spanish and Mandarin, languages they are studying at one of the district's five schools with international studies programs.

Rainier Beach High School senior Travonna Wiley will be the first in her family to attend college when she heads to Clark Atlanta University next fall. Several years ago, the district, pondering whether or not to close struggling Rainier Beach, instead increased college-preparation classes. Wiley, and another college-bound student speaking at the breakfast, Tyler Pendleton, are proof the district's gamble is paying off.

Another plus: the teens got to network with Seattle University President Father Stephen Sundborg and another attendee who sits on the board of trustees of Vanderbilt University. Hard work pays off.

The rest of us are reminded of the payoff of investing in our city's schools.